Adjustable rotary mechanism



Jan. 29, 1935.

ADJUSTABLE ROTARY MECHANISM Filed March 22, 1930 E. J. SVYENSONV 1,989,118

N 3-: 21 l/ll HHWH my mew I loo irnsjffiuenson Patented Jan. 29, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 6 Claims.

My invention relates generally to adjustable rtary mechanisms, and more particularly to rotary driving mechanisms which are capable of lateral adjustment.

In certain fields of manufacture there is a need for improved means to control the lateral adjustment of rotative elements, such as rotary driving elements. connection with the production of devices, such as fluid pumps and the like, wherein it is desirable to eccentrically position parts which are rotatable within a chamber or housing. In such instances it is desirable to efiect the adjustment of a rotative element laterally with respect to the axis of rotation from a point externally of the device with which it is associated. Thus my present invention contemplates the provision of a simple, positively acting mechanism, whereby the lateral shifting of a rotative element may be conveniently and accurately controlled with a minimum amount of efiort and skill by the user.

My present invention further contemplates the provision of an improved driving or rotary construction, in which one of the parts may be secured in a fixed position of rotation, and another part driven thereby may be accurately and conveniently shifted transversely with respect to the first part through the agency of a simple manually manipulated adjusting mechanism.

A further object of my present invention is to comprises a member laterally shiftable with respect to another rotary member with an adjusting device, which is longitudinally movable for the purpose of imparting lateral movement to one of said parts, said longitudinal adjustment being accomplished in a very simple and expeditious manner.

Still another object of my present invention is to provide an adjustable rotary mechanism as above set forth, equipped with a micrometer control device, by means of which adjustment may be controlled very accurately.

More specifically, it is an object of my invention to provide a controlling device for relatively shiftable rotary members, which is positioned coaxially with respect to one of the members, and which has a portion angularly disposed with respect to said axis of rotation, whereby, in response 5 to longitudinal movement of said device, one of the parts will be laterally shifted with respect to the other.

In addition to the above mentioned objects and advantages, my invention contemplates the provision of a rotary driving mechanism as above This need is particularly noticeable in provide a driving or rotary construction, which set forth, which is adapted to make a tongue and groove connection with a part to be driven, said tongue and groove connection being made by the driving member which is laterally shiftable in such a manner as to preclude the possibility of imparting a side'thrust force to the driven part.

These and numerous other objects and advantages will be more apparent from the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein- Figure 1 discloses a plunger pump equipped with an adjustable driving mechanism which is representative of one embodiment of my invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the journal or driving sleeve forming a part of the driving mech-= anism;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the driving element which is driven by and is laterally shiftable within the sleeve member shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the adjusting member which is longitudinally shiftable within the sleeve shown in Figure 2 for imparting lateral movement to the device shown in Figure 3; and

Figure 5 is a fragmentary plan view of the left portion of the mechanism shown in Figure 1, a portion of the mechanism being broken away to set forth more clearly the micrometer arrangement of the manually manipulated screw mechamsm.

Referring now to the drawing more in detail wherein like numerals have been employed to designate similar parts throughout the various figures, it is to be noted that for the purpose of illustrating one practical application of my in- 35 vention, I have shown the same in operative association with a plunger pump, which is similar to the pump mechanism disclosed'in my co-pending application, Serial No. 430,867, filed February 24, 1930. The present invention does not cover the specific structural features of the pumping mechanism, and therefore a detailed description of the parts constituting this pumping mechanism is not essential to a clear understanding of my present invention.

With regard to the. pump mechanism it will suffice to say that this device includes a stationary support or block 10, in which a plurality of pistons 12 are radially reciprocable. This block 10 ineludes an annular section 14 which carries a tapered bearing 16, and this tapered bearing supports a complementary tapered valve member 18. This valve member 18 serves as a means for controlling the displacement of fluid toward and away from the pistons 12 and is rotatable within its bearing 16. Rotation is imparted to the valve 18 by a driving mechanism of improved practical construction, which forms the subject matter of my present invention.

This driving mechanism is comprised of three main units which are shown by the perspective views in Figures 2, 3, and 4. These units or members are as follows: The journal or driving sleeve in Figure 2, which is designated generally by the numeral 20, the driving member 22 shown in Fig-. ure 3, which is driven by andlaterally adjustable within the sleeve 20, and the adjusting member 24 shown in Figure 4, which is longitudinally shiftable within the sleeve 20. The sleeve 20 comprises a threaded section 26, an enlarged body portion 28, and a reduced end section 30 extending outwardly from the body portion 28. An aperture 32 extends through the threaded section 26 and opens into a slot 34 which extends transversely of the body portion 28. This slot 34 is positioned centrally with respect to the axis of rotation of the sleeve and opens into a narrower slot 86, which is likewise positioned centrally with respect to the axis of rotation. The sleeve 20 is mounted at one extremity within an anti-friction bearing 38, and at the opposite extremity by an anti-friction bearing 40, Figure 1. The bearing 38 is, in turn, mounted within an end frame or casing 42, a ring 44 being clamped against the inner side of the bearing 38 by means of suitable screws 46. The end frame or casing section 42 is detach- 'ably mounted upon the end surface of a central housing or casing 48 by means of suitable screws 50. The anti-friction bearing 40 is mounted within the central casing or housing 48. Rotation is imparted to the sleeve 20 by means of an annular gear 52, which surrounds and is keyed to the sleeve, a keyway 54 being shown in Figure 2, which is designated to receive a suitable key (not shown). This key is carried by the annular gear 52. Rotation is imparted to the gear 52 through the agency of a driving gear 56, which is connected with any suitable source of power supply (not shown). The anti-friction bearing 38 is secured against a shoulder formed on the sleeve 20 by means of a suitable clamping ring 58, Figure 1. Thus it will be apparent that, when the gear 56 isjrotated, rotary movement will be imparted to the sleeve 20, which is journaled within the bearings 38 and 40.

The. adjustable driving member 22 shown in Figure 3, includes a section 60 and a narrower section 62 formed integral therewith, which sections are slidable within the slots 34 and 36 respectively of the sleeve 20. A flange 64 is formed adjacent the section 62, and extending axially of said flange isa cylindrical section 66 which is threaded at its outer end to receive a clamping ring 68. ,Centrally positioned with respect to the axis of the member 22 and extending transversely of the cylindrical section 66 in parallelism with the sections 60 and 62, is a tongue-70 which is adapted to be received by a slot '72 provided in and extending transversely of the inner extremity of the tapered valve member 18. The cylindrical section 66 supports a driving ring '74, which is supported by suitable anti-friction means, such as ball bearings 'Z6.- This driving ring, when positioned eccentrically with respect to the center from which the pistons 12'radiate, will effect the reciprocation of said pistons when rotation is imparted to the adjustable member 22. When the driving ring '74 and consequently the adjustable member 22 are positioned co-axially with respect to the axis of the sleeve 20, which is coincident with the axis of rotation of the tapered valve 18, no movement will be imparted to the pistons. Thus it will be apparent that, when rotation is imparted to the sleeve 20 and the member 22 is eccentrically positioned with respect to the axis of rotation of said sleeve, the driving ring 74 will effect movement of the pistons 12.

To effect the lateral displacement of the member 22 for the purpose of eccentrically positioning the driving ring '74, I employ the adjusting member 24 shown in Figures 1 and 4. This member 24 includes a central cylindrical section '78, which is longitudinally slidable within the aperture 32 of the sleeve 20. One extremity of the member 24 is provided with a reduced section which passes through an anti-friction thrust bearing 82, while the opposite extremity of said member is provided with a reduced cylindrical extension 84, the axis of which is angularly disposed with respect to the axis of the central cylindrical section 78. This cylindrical extension 84 is adapted to be received by a complementary recess or opening 86 provided in the adjustable member 22. Thus, when longitudinal movement is imparted to the adjusting member 24, the shifting of the extension 84 within its complementary opening 86 will cause the member 22 to be laterally adjusted within the sleeve 20. The outer end of the reduced section 80 of the adjusting member 24 carries a collar 88, which is secured to the section 80 by means of a pin 90, and this collar serves to clamp the shoulder 92 of the central cylindrical section 78 against one side of the thrust bearing 82, the other side of the thrust.

bearing being positioned against an annular abutment 94, which is formed integral with an adjusting screw 96. This adjusting screw 96 is mounted within a companion threaded portion of the end frame casing 42, as clearly shown in Figure 1. Thus, when rotation is imparted to the screw 96 by manually gripping projections 98,

longitudinalmovement is experienced by the member 24. The screw 96 provides a micrometer adjustment, whereby the longitudinal movement of the member 24 and consequently the lateral displacement of the member 22 may be performed gradually. Suitable graduations 100 provided on the peripheral surface of the screw 96 cooperate with graduations 102-provided on the simple, and positively acting mechanism for laterally adjusting a rotative element within a companion rotative element. This lateral adjustment may be made with extreme accuracy from a point conveniently located externally of the device with which the adjusting mechanism is associated. By having the rotatable and relatively shiftable parts mounted, in anti-friction bearings as above set forth, and by providing the anti-friction thrust bearings at one end thereof, a construction is presented which is capable of continued use over a long period of time, and the wear to which said parts are subjected is very slight. Attention is directed to the manner in which the tongue '70 is positioned with respect to the direction of the lateral movement experienced by the member 22. This tongue 70 extends across the end of the member 22- in the direction of the movement experienced by the member 22 whensaid member is shifted within the sleeve 20.- Hence, any centrifugal force experienced by the member 22 as a result of the eccentric positioning thereof will act longitudinally of the tongue 70. This tongue 70, being positioned within a companion longitudinal groove 72 within the valve, will therefore not transmit to said valve any of said centrifugal forces. This construction prevents the transmission of any side thrust from the member 22 to any part, such as the valve 18, with which it might be coupled.

In using my improved adjustable rotary means in connection with a plunger pump of the type shown in the drawing, it is essential that the cylindrical section 66 of the adjustable member 22 be maintained in proper alinement at all times. Any misalinement of the cylindrical section 66 would obviously impose a wobbling action to the bearings 76, and would have a tendency to effect improper functioning of the device. It is also to be noted that by having a metal to metal connection between the extension 84 and the complementary cylindrical surface of the hole 86, the member 22 is maintained in proper alinement, and said extension cooperates with the slots 34 and 36 in supporting the member 22. By means of the above mentioned construction, the working load to which the bearing or collar 88 and the threads of the adjusting screw 96 are subjected, is reduced greatly. As a result of the great leverage between the load imparted for manually rotating the screw 96 and the actual travel of the adjustable driving member 22, the manual power which is required to effect such adjustment is very small. It will be seen also that the described arrangement presents a mechanism which is self-locking as against the load which is imposed upon the cylindrical section 66, and at the same time enables convenient lateral adjustment of the member 22 to be made by applying a very small rotative force to the screw 96.

While I have disclosed my present invention in combination with a pump construction, it is to be understood clearly that said invention is limited in no sense for use in connection with pumps, but is capable of .application in any instance where the lateral displacement of one rotative member within another is required. Obviously, changes in form from the specific construction shown in the drawing may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

In my co-pending applications, Serial No. 436,- 867, filed February 24, 1930, and Serial No. 430,- 866, filed February 24, 1930, I have disclosed a driving mechanism similar to that shown and claimed herein. However, in the first mentioned co-pending application I have directed my claims to the pump structure, and in the second copending application I have directed my claims to the valve arrangement.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by letters Pat-=- ent is:

1. In mechanism of the class described, a 1'0- tary member having oppositely disposed axially spaced bearing sections, supporting means, axially spaced bearings carried by said supporting means and cooperatively encircling the bearing sections of the rotary member for supporting said member, a driving member having an axially extending rigid portion, said portion being rotatable with and shiftably adjustable within said rotary member and extending axially of and through one of the bearing sections of said rotary member whereby to receive the lateral support of the bearing encircling said bearing section, means whereby said rotary member is adapted to support said driving member in a manner to maintain the axes of said members in parallelism, means including an element extending longitudinally of said rotary member and adapted to be shifted for causing the adjustment of said driving member within said rotary member, an end projection on said rigid portion extending axially beyond said last mentioned bearing, the shifting of said driving member serving to efiect the positive transverse adjustment of said projection in opposite directions, and means for positively securing said driving member in various positions of adjustment, thereby cooperating with said rotary and driving members in positively securing said projection against lateral displacement when subjected to working loads.

2; In mechanism of the class described, a rotary member having oppositely disposed axially spaced bearing sections, supporting means, axially spaced bearings carried by said supporting means and cooperatively encircling the bearing sections of the rotary member for supporting said member, a driving member having an axially extending rigid portion, said portion being rotatable with and shiitably adjustable within said rotary member and extending axially of and through one of the bearing sections of said rotary member whereby to receive the lateral support of the bearing encircling said bearing section, means whereby said rotary member is adapted to support said driving member in a manner to maintain the axes of said members in parallelism, means including an element inclined with respect to the axis of said driving member, said element extending longitudinally of said rotary member and adapted to be shifted for causing the adjustment of said driving member within said rotary member, an end projection on said rigid portion extending axially beyond said last mentioned bearing, the shifting of said driving member serving to efiect the positive transverse adjustment of said projection in oppositedirections, and means for positively securing said driving member in various positions of adjustment, thereby cooperating with said rotary and driving members in positively securing said projection against lateral displacement when subjected to working loads.

' 3. In mechanism of the class described, a rotary member having oppositely disposed axially spaced bearing sections, supporting means, ax-

ially spaced bearings carried by said supporting means andcooperatively encircling the bearing sections of the rotary member for supporting said member, a driving member having an axially extending rigid portion, said portion being rotatable with and shiftably adjustable within said rotary member and extending axially of and through one of the bearing sections of said rotary member whereby to receive the lateral support of the bearing encircling said bearing section, means whereby said rotary member is adapted to support said driving member'in amanner to maintain the axes of said members in parallelism, means including an element extending longitudinally of said rotary member and adapted to be shifted for. causing the adjustment of said driving member within said rotary member, an end projection on said rigid portion extending axially beyond said last mentioned bearing, the shifting of said driving member serving to effect the positive transverse adjustment of said projection in opposite directions, means for positively securing said driving member in va rious positions of adjustment, thereby cooperating with said rotary and driving members in positively securing said projection against lateral displacement when subjected to working loads, and means associated with the periphery of the rotary member intermediate said spaced bearings adapted to be engaged for driving purposes. 4. In mechanism of the class described, a rotary member having oppositely disposed axially spaced bearing sections, supporting means, axially spaced bearings carried by said supporting means and cooperatively encircling the bearing sections of the rotary member for supporting said member, a driving member having an axially'extending rigid portion, said portion being rotatable with and shiftably adjustable within said rotary member and extending axially of and through one of the bearing sections of said rotary member whereby to receive the lateral support of the bearing encircling said bearing section, means whereby said rotary member is adapted to support said driving member in a manner to maintain the axes of said members in parallelism, micrometer adjusting means including an element extending longitudinally of said rotary member and adapted to be shifted for causing the adjustment of said driving member within said rotary member, and an end projection on said rigid portion extending axially beyond said last mentioned bearing, the shifting of said driving member serving to elfect the positive transverse adjustment of said projection in opposite directions.

5. In mechanism of the class described, a rotary member having oppositely disposed axially spaced bearing sections, supporting means, axially spaced bearings carried by said supporting means and cooperatively encircling the bearing sections of the rotarymember for supporting said member, a driving member having an axially extending rigid portion, said portion being rotatable with and shiftably adjustable within said rotary member and extending axially of and through one of the bearing sections ofi said rotary member whereby to receive the lateral support of the bearing encircling said bearing section, means whereby said rotary member is adapted to support said driving member in a manner to maintain the axes of said members in parallelism, means including an element extending longitudinally of said rotary member and adapted to be shifted for causing the adjustment of said driving member within said rotary member, an end projection on said rigidportion extending axially beyond said last mentioned bearing, said bearing being adapted to take up radial loads and the other bearing being adapted to take up radial and thrust loads, the shifting of said driving member serving to effect the positive transverse adjustment of said projection in opposite directions, and means for positively securing said driving member in various positions of adjustment, thereby cooperating with said rotary and driving members in positively securing said projection against lateral displacement when subjected to working loads.

6. In mechanism of the class described, a rotary member having oppositely disposed axially spaced bearing sections, supporting means, ax-' ially spaced bearings carried by said supporting means and cooperatively encircling the bearing sections of the rotary member for supporting said member, a driving member having an axially extending rigid portion, said portion being rotatable with and shiftably adjustable within said rotary member and extending axially of and through one of the bearing sections of said rotary member whereby to receive the lateral support of the bearing encircling said bearing section, means whereby said rotary member is adapted to support said driving member in a manner to maintain the axes of said members in parallelism, means including an element extending longitudinally within said rotary member and adapted to be longitudinally shifted for causing the adjustment of said driving member within said. rotary member, an end projection oni said rigid portion extending axially beyond said last'mentioned bearing, the shifting of said driving member serving to efiect the positive transverse adjustment of said projection in opposite directions, and means associated with one extremity of said longitudinally shiftable element for positively securing said driving member in various positions of adjustment, thereby cooperating with said rotary and driving members in positively securing said projection against lateral displacement when subjected to working loads.

ERNEST J. SVENSON. 

